PEORIA — Julius Erving is not proposing a medical/residential/retail complex for newly annexed land in Northwest Peoria. Srinivas Jujjavarapu is.

Over months of consideration, with significant neighborhood opposition, his project was far from being a slam dunk. But with City Council approval Tuesday night, it’s free to proceed.

“I would say I’m very relieved,” Jujjavarapu said following a series of votes regarding annexation, rezoning and comprehensive-plan changes on the 34-acre parcel adjacent to Illinois Route 91.

“I’m not used to this long haul of a process,” said the oncologist who shares a nickname — Dr. J — with a legendary basketball player. “I think it’s for a good reason. It made me understand better what the concerns are and how to address the concerns that will make it a better option for everybody.”

A vote on Jujjavarapu’s petition had been deferred four times, in part because neighbors complained about a lack of a site plan for the property. A subject-to-change plan Jujjavarapu and his attorney, Bob Hall, discussed Tuesday was multifaceted.

It included Jujjavarapu’s cancer-treatment practice, a 40,000-to-60,000-square-foot complex that might include at least a dozen doctors. A maximum of 225 apartments, with monthly rents in the $1,300-to-$1,500 range, also is an option. So is retail development and, perhaps, a hotel.

“This is exactly the type of project we need in our city,” said 5th District Councilman Casey Johnson, who will represent the newly annexed area.

Those who live nearby and who attended the council meeting didn’t appear to share Johnson’s enthusiasm. They cited conflict with the city’s comprehensive plan. They also suggested the apartments might attract more children than the local school district, Dunlap Unit 323, can accommodate.

One nearby resident, Angela Anderson, presented a petition opposed to the annexation. She said it contained about 600 signatures, gathered over two weeks.

“Give me another two weeks and I’ll be back with 1,000 signatures,” Anderson told the council. “If you need your phones ringing off the hook and your emails on fire, that can be arranged.

“So many dominoes have to fall in place for this project to maybe someday get off the ground.”

Per the annexation agreement, development can’t begin until early 2016. Stipulations regarding building materials for the apartments, among other things, are part of the covenant.

Beth Akeson was the only council dissenter on all four votes necessary for approval. Fellow at-large colleague Beth Jensen voted no on the comprehensive-plan and zoning changes. Another at-large member, Chuck Weaver, abstained.

“I believe a vote against this project will continue to perpetuate a misconception that we are not business friendly in the city of Peoria,” Johnson said. “If this were asked by the village of Dunlap, or if Dr. J were to take this across the (Illinois) River somewhere, they would be welcomed with open arms.”

Page 2 of 2 - Nick Vlahos can be reached at 686-3285 or nvlahos@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @VlahosNick.